McLeod said her little dog was frantic while fireworks were being set off and was “impossible to comfort.”

“I couldn’t enjoy my quiet celebration with my dog being miserable,” McLeod wrote. “Please, people who set off fireworks, think of the thousands upon thousands of seniors and pets who are suffering for your brief, selfish, incredibly intrusive entertainment.”

McLeod believes fireworks are an outdated tradition and should be banned, but if it won’t be made illegal, “we can make it socially unacceptable.”

A City of Parksville bylaw states that “no person may hold, possess, store, discharge, or otherwise use display fireworks without a fireworks event permit.” The sale of them is banned as well.

City spokesperson Deb Tardiff said no permits were applied for or issued. No complaints were received and no tickets were issued.

Anyone wanting to set off fireworks in Parksville must apply for and receive a fireworks event permit and all applicants must hold a current and valid Fireworks Supervisor and/or Pyrotechnics Certification card as issued by Natural Resources Canada.

The bylaw says fireworks events need to end prior to 11 p.m. and may not start prior to 8 a.m.

Anyone who disobeys the rules could get a fine of up to $10,000 or time behind bars.